To Whom It May Concern:
RE: Recommendation for Carlton Rounds
Having known Carlton Rounds since 2001, I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending him for a post at any institution. Coming from a very rigid and constrictive socio-economic and political environment in Zimbabwe and moving into a liberal environment at Bard College, New York was a tremendous challenge to me, not only because of the cultural shock but also because I was provided so many opportunities I had no idea where to start. In Carlton I found a mentor and confidante who provided support and counsel in my assimilation into a new culture.
Having been selected as a scholarship recipient at Bard College and The Institute for International Liberal Education for a one year course of study was a challenge in itself as I felt that I had to give it my all. Carlton was instrumental in providing both academic and social advice which has helped me develop an open mind as well as shape my career. Through his grooming, I have developed a passion for the liberal arts and human rights, areas which I would have never known or explored and I can confidently say that through Carlton’s inspiration and guidance, I have established a career in the area of human rights and am currently engaged as an Assistant Programmes Coordinator with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (www.zlhr.org.zw ). During my year at Bard, Carlton worked with some 13 students under the Institute for International Liberal Education from diverse backgrounds. Observing his work was a real inspiration and helped me build confidence in him, not only did he have to provide support to a wide spectrum of American students, but he also had to be supportive to students from Zimbabwe, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, South Africa, Ukraine, Russia and Romania, just to name a few. Owing to his skills in working with students from diverse backgrounds, Carlton was also easy to approach, as I learnt and observed of other international students not necessarily under the Institute of International Liberal Education.
The self-sacrifice demonstrated by Carlton in giving up his free time for me and other international students helped cultivate a spirit of voluntarism in me. Due to his ability to give without expecting anything in return, I was challenged to also give my time to communities in Southern Africa, Carlton gave so much to me and the least I could do was give something in return. This inspired me to take up voluntary work on returning in Zimbabwe and I worked for 12months as an international development aid voluntary worker in Botswana and South Africa.
Since 2001, Carlton had continued to be a true source of wise counsel and has been invaluable in guiding me towards the attainment of a Beit Fellowship, enabling me to pursue my Masters studies in International Relations at the University of Kent, UK beginning in September 2006. I strongly believe that the opportunity to work as a college counselor will give other students a chance to draw from Carlton’s experience with students from diverse backgrounds. I am proud to say that I have become what I am today because of what Carlton was for me and the Bard community. I have become more open-minded, more confident and ready to take on the world and know that Carlton has the ability and will impart the same spirit to many more students.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries concerning this recommendation.
Yours sincerely,
Maud Mukova (Miss)
E-mail: mothang01@yahoo.com (personal) mmukova@zlhr.org.zw (work)
Telephone: 263-4-339313 (home) 263-4-251468 (work)
Mobile: 263-11-619740
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